Undercover officers from the Laredo Police Department in Texas arrested two women who were allegedly running salons out of their homes in defiance of the state's remain at home order. Authorities launched the sting operation after receiving an anonymous tip that the women were soliciting customers on social media.
One officer booked an appointment for a nail appointment with Ana Isabel Castro-Garcia, 31, while another officer arranged to have an eyelash service performed at the home of 20-year-old Brenda Stephanie Mata.
Both women were taken into custody and charged with violating an emergency management plan, which is a Class B misdemeanor punishable by a maximum fine of $2,000 and up to 180 days in jail.
"Both of the violators independently solicited customers via social media. In both cases, an undercover officer working on the COVID-19 task force enforcement detail made contact with each solicitor to set up an appointment for a cosmetic, beauty service that is prohibited under the emergency ordinance," the department said in a statement.
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